It was past midnight when the tower bell rang.
Not once. Not twice.
Five times.
Every student in the academy froze. Conversations died. Books closed mid-sentence. Even the winds seemed to hush.
The Fifth Bell.
It hadn't rung in over a decade.
---
Kael stood on the rooftop, overlooking the moonlit training fields.
He didn't know why, but his chest ached — a deep, pulsing throb that wasn't pain… but summoning.
Moments later, a black-robed shadow appeared beside him.
Lioren.
"Come," the professor said simply.
Without a word, Kael followed him into the spiraling depths of the academy's sealed wing.
_____
In the Hall of Trials,Behind a door lined with god-sealing runes, Kael stepped into a hall lit by flickering ghostflame.
Five other students were already waiting. All nobles.
Theron Varelan, arms crossed, eyes dripping with disdain.
Naya Elowen, looking uncertain but standing tall.
Rellen Avarciel, with a sneer that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Two more noble heirs, strangers to Kael.
Lioren's voice echoed through the stone.
"The Academy has sanctioned a high-risk mission into the Fellgrove. A zone declared forbidden. Unknown. Alive."
The room tensed.
"You are all considered… experimental."
Theron scoffed. "Why him?" He nodded toward Kael. "He has no star. No record. No right."
Lioren didn't blink. "Because he hasn't been predictable."
---
The Fellgrove Quest
The mission: Enter the forest ruins known as the Fellgrove.
An ancient elven warzone, cursed and swallowed by wild essence.
Teams must recover a Fragment of the Starborn Crown — said to enhance essence veins beyond limit.
No mana communication. No adult interference.
Failure means death.
Success means glory, merit… and secrets uncovered.
---
They entered the grove two days later,fog swallowed their vision. The sky was not visible. The deeper they walked, the more alive the forest became.the trees seem to whispered, while shadows seem to watched,it was eerily all around,we were walking while looking around for a trap or ambush but non happen,then Rellen triggered a rune trap. Spikes laced with rot shot from the ground. He dodged. Barely.
Naya's friend, Celaine, vanished. No scream. Just… gone.
Kael's skin burned with every breath. The grove didn't just reject him — it recognized him.